SCTC graduates first group of student inmates with welding certification

Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC), Spalding County and the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board have partnered to offer a Welding & Joining Technology certification program at the Spalding County Correctional Institute facility in Griffin. Last Friday, the first 7 inmates received their Basic Welding Techniques Certification at a graduation ceremony with their family and loved ones in attendance.

Through this program, students received 150 hours of training in the trades of gas metal arc welding and shielded metal arc welding. Once completed, the program culminates in an industry-recognized certification that will go with the graduate when they leave prison, and assist him in securing good, steady employment.

SCTC Instructor Chris Patterson started holding formalized classes in a portable classroom last fall, hoping his work with the inmates will “break the cycle” of recidivism, or repeated criminal behavior.

“We are doing our best to change the course of the future for these students. Not only will successful employment make a lasting impact on the student, we will see this carry over into their families and communities as well. It’s a great situation for all parties involved,” Patterson said.

Spalding County Correctional Institute Prison Warden Carl Humphrey said, “We have worked extremely hard to get this program up and running to be able to provide something more for these men. We established a make-it-happen team and our success is evident with these graduates.”

Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board is funding the program through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Several pieces of equipment, as well as the portable classroom in which inmates work, were donated by the Technical College System of Georgia.

“It’s a proven fact that the more educated you are, the less likely you are to re-offend or commit a crime,” Warden Humphrey continued. “When you look at some of these guys’ backgrounds, you can see that they have never been given opportunities to really improve themselves. We know that if they do not come back, then we did something right.”

SCTC’s Executive Vice President of Economic Development Dr. Mark Andrews said the program aligns with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s emphasis on inmate re-entry.

“Gov. Deal has made criminal justice reform one of his priorities, and re-entry programs that prepare inmates for life after incarceration are an important part of that,” Andrews said. “We want to make sure Southern Crescent Technical College’s resources are being used to their full potential in support of this initiative.”

Andrews said SCTC modeled the program after other successful programs throughout the state adding, “This program has been a great success and we are already making plans to begin with our next group of students.”

Humphrey said the prison and SCTC are committed to continuing their efforts to offer education and training for prisoners and preparing them to productively settle back into society.

Upcoming Events

High Falls Historic WalkJune 1, 2019 at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AMHigh Falls State ParkJoin our naturalist on a short walk and learn about the history of the once-prosperous town of High Falls. Hike also includes a rare chance to tour inside the old powerhouse which provides great photo opportunities of the Towaliga River. Please wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Visitor Center. $5 plus $5 parking. 478-993-3053.